On Saturday 9th March the TrustPower TECT Rescue Helicopter and Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter were dispatched to a two-car head-on crash on the outskirts of Opotiki township.
The car collided on a bridge on the western side of the township, the driver of a classic car died at the scene, his passengers, a 14-year old girl who the front seat passenger received head, facial and abdominal injuries and was flown to Tauranga hospital in a serious condition.
The rear seat passenger a 56-year old woman received abdominal injuries and was flown to Tauranga hospital by the Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter. The driver of the other car received minor injuries.